Target to consolidate grantmaking to larger cities?

Target Corp. reportedly plans to consolidate its grant making to large markets around the U.S. within the next couple of years.

During an October visit, representatives from Target encouraged the Flint Institute of Arts to reapply for funding for its Target Free Saturdays program next year, but it gave the museum a heads-up that it plans to consolidate its giving to larger markets, like Detroit, said Katherine Sharbaugh, assistant director of development at the museum.

"In the future, they are changing their fields of interest, and they're not going to do a wide variety of small markets," she said.

"They are telling us to prepare for the future—they're very generous and very concerned about the health and wellness of communities they've been funding."

Target has provided close to $250,000 to the Flint Institute of Arts over the past six years, Sharbaugh said, paying for 86,000 people to visit the museum for free.

Consolidating grant making to larger markets "makes their funding more efficient," she said.

"They want their message out, and the number of people they serve in a big market is very different than the number in small markets."

Target said it continues to make grants across Michigan in locations where it has stores and in Kalamazoo where it has a distribution center.

"That hasn't shifted," a spokeswoman said in an email.

However, Target grants are one-time gifts, she said.

"By making annual commitments, we ensure we can remain flexible and respond to changing community and business needs."

Target currently focuses its grants on: education, access to cultural institutions, community and diversity.

The retailer has provided funding for local schools around the state, food donations and in-kind or "salvage" donations to Goodwill, support to United Way and store-specific grants and volunteers, according to the spokeswoman.

Target has also supported the Detroit Institute of Arts and provided a title sponsorship for the Parade Co.'s Target Fireworks for several years, in addition to other local support.